10 uses for contactless donation technology

As the trend in donations is increasingly moving from cash to card, more and more charities are looking at how they can implement contactless donation technology.

For fundraisers, this should be about more than just using a new technology, it’s a fantastic opportunity to do something really innovative with how they collect and interact with donors.

Here are 10 examples of how and where contactless donation technology can be implemented:

1) Street collections: Swapping buckets for boxes

Starting with the most obvious one which is certainly something all charities should be doing. With fewer people than ever carrying cash and spare change, contactless donation boxes should be replacing (or at least supplementing) the traditional collection tins and buckets.

2) City hotspots: Places to get the community giving back

It’s not just charities that can use contactless donation technology. Councils and Local Authorities can partner with organisations that they support to create giving points around towns and cities. Take for example those who are trying to tackle the issue of homelessness; councils could create a series of ‘donation hotspots’ around shopping centres or areas with high footfall that visitors could tap to donate to the supported charities.

3) Shop counters: Catching donors when they have their cards out

Shop counters provide immediacy for contactless donations due to the customer already having their card out and their mind in ‘spend mode’. Charities could be partnering with retail outlets to have contactless donation boxes at the point of sale, and nudging customers to go a little bit further and give back to charity. You can see how Lunchbox, one of our own ventures, does this here.

4) Within exhibitions: Making art come to life

Due to the majority of exhibitions in the UK being free to attend, galleries and museums need donations to remain up and running. Contactless donation devices can be used as a ‘give something back’ station around these exhibitions or linked to interactive exhibits to provide a visual experience when the box is tapped.

5) Supporting artefacts: Tapping to keep our history alive

Keeping our heritage sites in good order doesn’t come for free and some of our most important pieces of history need donations to keep standing. Contactless donation devices can be placed next to (and even within) artefacts and heritage sites. A clear message could be displayed informing a donor that with just one tap of their card, they could help support their upkeep i.e. one tap keeps one section of this wall standing for another year.

6) Hospices and hospitals: Giving back for important support

Hospitals and hospices receive some funding of their own, however, they still rely on donations from visitors and the public. Contactless donation devices can be placed in wards, shops and reception areas where visitors could easily give something back via a simple tap of their card.

7) Permanent fixtures: Encouraging small donations for personal enjoyment

There are a number of permanent fixtures around the country that are enjoyed by the public but also rely on their donations for upkeep – think gardens, benches, fountains and monuments or points of interest. These are perfect places for contactless donation technology to be used and ask for a small donation to keep the enjoyment going. For exterior donation points, our Tap for Change boxes can even run on solar energy, via a power bank, so contactless donations can be part of everyday giving, be it inside or outside, day or night.

8) Fundraising dinners: Catching the big spenders

Contactless donation boxes don’t just need to be used to take small donations – they can take up to £30 per tap, with the donor being able to choose their own amount through our Tap for Change boxes. This makes them perfectly placed to be used at fundraising dinners, charity events or even business awards parties who are supporting a specific cause – whether it’s at the bar, on the tables or even in the cloakroom.

9) Supporting schools: Funding campaigns

Schools need funding support more than ever. With schools running a number of events throughout the year to help supplement their income, contactless donation devices could help bring in a crucial increased stream of donations. We have written more about this here.

10) Finally, how about something completely different?

Our Tap for Change boxes can be linked to an external device which is operated via an electrical pulse emitted by the box. How about lighting up a Christmas tree every time a donation is made? What about setting off a model train that completes a loop of the track for every donation made? You could even have a celebrity voice say “thank you” from a life-size cardboard cut-out! Our British eccentricity will certainly generate many innovative ways to thank our donors by giving them an experience they won’t forget!

If you are interested in implementing contactless donations in any of these ways, or as part of your wider donations effort, please get in touch.